The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980 (1992 Video) User Reviews

As long as you've seen the others, you know this one

[SMLA11 · 10/10 · 24 May 2002]

This is just practically all of the Godfather movies rolled into one big one just in chronological order. There is nothing really to say about this except that all of the other Godfathers were wonderful and I liked it in chronological order instead of all jumbled up. Still wonderful, same great acting and same wonderful direction.

Overall the movie is just normal Godfathers in one big movie. Still like it a lot though. Rating 10 out of 10.

An offer you can't refuse!

[MovieAddict2016 · 10/10 · 27 September 2005]

Everyone knows the "Godfather" movies. If you don't by now, you probably don't belong on this site. (Just kidding...everyone is welcome!) In 1992, Francis Ford Coppola assembled together the entire footage from all three of his "Godfather" movies and spliced them back together again in chronological order...along with about 30 minutes of deleted scenes, making the outcome clock in at about 530 minutes altogether (astounding!).

The movie compilation was released on VHS and played on TV as part of a mini-series type deal, but I never got around to seeing it back then. Watching it now it really adds a new aspect to the familiar story and truly compliments the original films - it doesn't seem like an unnecessary cash-in.

Part of what I enjoy about the first sequel is its non-chronological passage of events...flashbacks to Don Vito's days really contrasted Michael's conflicts in a superb way... but I don't really have any beefs with Coppola changing that for the sake of a new and unique narrative. It makes it more interesting for this particular project.

It starts off with scenes from "The Godfather Part II" - a young Vito Corleone emigrates from Corleone, Sicily (and no, the film wasn't actually shot there...I went to the real town of Corleone and it's nothing like in the film) to Ellis Island at the turn of the century. Once there he eventually opens his own business, gets a wife and births children - including Michael, his beloved son.

Vito becomes a Mafia Don and after many years Robert De Niro transforms into Marlon Brando, whose son Michael (now played not by a baby, but rather a baby-faced Al Pacino) is reluctant to join the "business." He's in the military and all is going well with him and his girlfriend (Diane Keaton) but then an assassination attempt leaves his older brother dead and his father in intensive care.

In order to defend his family he must kill a corrupt cop and Mafia kingpin. He does this and then flees to Sicily (and, if you've read the book "The Sicilian" by Mario Puzo, you'll be aware of what fate awaits him there).

This stuff goes on forever and I could give a detailed plot description but I'd be ruining whatever you might not have seen.

Overall there's nothing I can really say about this other than that it's an interesting spin on the movies. If you want my opinion on the other films you'll have to search my archive here on IMDb, they'll all available if you care so much as to read them (which I highly doubt).

Suffice to say Coppola's remix of his movies is a refreshing twist on the saga...I enjoyed it and although it's something of a monster to sit through (I recommend an hour or two per night, which I don't ever usually like to do with other films), you'll find the time passes by pretty quick at times.

All time favourite with excellent acting and a marvelous script tightly composed between Coppola and Puzo

[Vagus · 10/10 · 27 July 2003]

This is my all time favourite suite of movies. The Godfather trilogy has bedazzled me time after time. The best thing is to see them all in a row with at the most one day between.

In part one Marlon Brando totally owns the screen and takes all the attention. And this isn't an easy task if you look at the casting! Al Pacino himself makes it worth while, as well as James Caan, Diane Keaton and Robert Duvall. Together they blend a perfect mix.

If you see the movies first and then read the original book by Mario Puzo, you will probably find that the characters in the movies perfectly suits the ones in the book. It's such a perfect match. Maybe this if because of the fact that Francis Ford Coppola worked together with Puzo on the movies.

I first saw the movies and then read the book, and even if I knew the movies very well I sat glued to the book from the first page to the last! And after I finished the book I felt a strong urge to see the movies again. This is because you get so much more information on all the characters in the book, so when you watch the movies again you will understand so much more! It's almost like seeing the trilogy for the first time again!

Enjoy!

A truly fascinating and well-devised saga.

["boz" · 14 August 1999]

In 1972 and 1974 Francis Ford Coppola in association with novel-writer Mario Puzo created two of the most critically acclaimed films in motion picture history, and either of them being strong contenders for the best picture ever made. Sixteen years later, Coppola and Puzo teamed up again to create an intriguing third installment, continuing the incredible saga set around 20 years after the events portrayed in the first two films. Now we can see all three superb films combined, carefully and effectively edited and containing scenes previously cut from original theatre versions. "The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980" is one of the finest pieces of cinema art.

The truly epic and grandness of the saga can now be appreciated in its full when the whole 9hrs and 32mins can be seen at once, what's more, it is in perfect chronological order.

The trilogy begins with The Young Vito Corleone (Robert DeNiro) and his rise to power in New York, this originally being a prologue to "The Godfather, Part II" is now placed right at the start of the saga, making the later flashbacks of DeNiro much more effective and it sets the scene beautifully for the following wedding scene at the beginning of the original "Godfather" film. Instead of being plunged into exposition far too quickly, as in the original cut of the first film, the exposition here is much more effective. The scene takes place at the wedding of the ageing Vito's (Marlon Brando) daughter Connie (Talia Shire) and it introduces his three sons, Sonny (James Caan), Fredo (John Cazale) and Michael (Al Pacino) along with Vito's adopted son and lawyer Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall), soon we are presented with the familiar though very interesting plot, including severed horse's heads, a lot of gunfire and various questions of morality. The final scene of the first film is immediately followed by the continuation of the same plot in "The Godfather, Part II," this being another masterful act of editing. The consequences at the end of the second film (particularly the death of Fredo) are therefore a lot more harrowing and effective.

Soon, we are elegantly taken to the events surrounding the ageing Michael Corleone, including the surviving members of the original films and also introducing a whole new generation of people including Sonny's illegitimate son Vincent (Andy Garcia) and Michael's own daughter (Sofia Coppola), and there is another opposition character in the form of Joey Zasa (Joe Mantegna) and so the story continues, this with an even more grim and equally powerful finale.

On a whole, this is simply a masterpiece, the story exceedingly effective (being based from Mario Puzo's successful novels) and the acting (particularly in the first two films) impeccable. To see it is more of an experience than anything else.

Alongside Star Wars, this is the best saga in motion picture

[kallah · 10/10 · 6 May 2000]

The first two episodes of The Godfather have already been critically acclaimed. There's not much of a point in adding to these praises. There have been so many negative critiques of Part III that a commentary in favor of the final episode is due.

Here it is. The last of the trilogy can be appreciated for its consistency with the first two, particularly with the film's loyalty to the recurring theme of the entire saga: family.

Once lineless and rendered obscure to the plot, Lucy Mancini (original actress and all) has returned to the saga after being left behind in Part I. And she has brought a not-so-little remnant of her affair with Santino Corleone with her. Recall the scene in Part I when Sonny leaves Lucy's apartment with his henchmen to pick up his sister. That was perhaps the very moment after which the last Don Corleone was conceived.

Another one of Santino's remnants has returned to the saga in Part III: his twins (Francesca and the other one). They are now grown and still identical, and still adorable too. Remember their line in Part II, Mommy, Daddy's fighting again!" and their inclusion in the Corleone family portrait taken at Connie's wedding.

Also returning are Al Neri, Calo (the Sicilian bodyguard), Tommassino, Johnny Fontaine (voice still intact), and Sofia Coppola even though she posed as Connie's baby in Part 1. Speaking of Sofia, she arouses a touching appreciation of the scene in Part II that shows little Mary Corleone running in a hotel hallway while her parents argue inside the room. And Anthony becomes a paradox to the boy in Part I who is ostensibly imminent to be the next Godfather.

As usual, the political intrigue makes the film exciting if you're paying attention. And the very title of Part III presents a double meaning: third episode, third Godfather. Andy Garcia is perfect for the part (remember him in The Untouchables). As they say in the mob, Vincent Corleone "wears it" when he is ordained Don Corleone, Neri and others acknowledging his throne in the proper fashion. The scene chills you with nostalgia and images of Bonasera kissing Vito's hand, and Clemenza and Rocco Lampone kissing Michael's.

To be honest, Part III is rude to newcomers to the Corleone family. It's presumptuous that viewers will appreciate what's occurring without realizing that this will be the first time many even see a Godfather flick. This is also why so many critics bashed Part III. They critique it as an individual feature instead of an integral episode to a classic saga. Okay, okay...

The shortcomings of Part III comprise the main reason why the Trilogy version must be viewed to appreciate the Godfather saga. Like Phantom Menace, The Godfather Part III is empty without the rest of the story (even though Menace can stand alone better). Yet, like Star Wars, The Godfather is a classic of classics in literature, performance, and cinema: the best in motion picture history.

Amazing

[kh1247 · 8/10 · 25 February 2006]

This version of the film (sometimes known as the Godfather Novel version) is much closer to FFC's original vision of the film. With the re-addition of several deleted scenes and the reordering of the story to move chronologically, you truly see the development of Vito Corleone as Godfather, and smoothly move on the Michael's rise as the head of the family. I think my favorite feature of this film is that it moves chronologically. This really lets you parallel some of the things that happen reflecting the similarities and differences of Vito and Michael, as well as some of the fear that the original Godfather creates; for example, now you have the apartment super. scene before the Woltz scene, a brilliant parallel. One thing you lose, though, is the parallel of Vito's view of family and Michael's. The dynamics between husband and wife are very different between them, as the GF2 film shows much better than this. But, overall, it's truly amazing!

Words are not enough for this

[make-2 · 10/10 · 14 November 1998]

This trilogy is one of the greatest creations in the history of film-making.

"The best trilogy of films ever to be made"

[galileo3 · 9/10 · 3 April 2006]

The Godfather- 1972 3 Academy Awards- Including Best Picture

"A flawless piece of cinema"

"This film immediately makes Coppola one of the greatest filmmakers in the history of cinema"

-10/10-

The Godfather Part II- 1974 6 Academy Awards- Including Best Picture and Best Director

"The Godfather Part II is the finest sequel ever to be made, one of the greatest films of all time, and possibly finer than its own superb predecessor. A Cinematic Masterpiece"

"As close to perfection as movies get"

-10/10-

The Godfather Part III- 1990 7 Academy Award Nominee- Including Best Picture and Best Director

"Inferior to the first 2 parts of the trilogy, but still a major cinematic achievement"

"Part III is a great film, a further study of the Corleone family and the Italian mafia, while not lacking the ingredients of the first 2 parts"

-8.0/10-

"A breathtaking trilogy"

The Godfather

[Professor-Joseph-Chikelue-Obi · 10/10 · 11 February 2015]

Title : The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980 (1992).

Plot (Storyline) : Thoroughly Exciting (from Start to Finish).

Costumes : Highly Appropriate for the Respective Eras.

Set Design : Very Satisfactory and Down To Earth.

Acting Skills of the Main Characters : Absolutely Faultless.

Total Viewing Time : Just About Right.

Boring Bits : None which are Worth Remembering.

Suspense : Abundantly Plentiful.

Overall Rating : 10 out of 10.

Suggestions for a Sequel : Nil.

The complete story of Corleone family with some never seen before sequences

[Ciuski · 10/10 · 22 March 2001]

One single word: the apotheoses! I always said that "the Godfather" is not a story divided in three films, but one single film: a 9 hours 43 minutes long film. Everything is linked together perfectly. So that's the best film ever made, and it should be ranked at #1 of IMDb top 250! Vote it and give it the vote it deserves: 10!

A very powerful trilogy of Mafia Life

[Seb-15 · 10/10 · 27 January 1999]

This movie was one of the best movie I have ever seen! Featuring

great plots, great acting performances by Marlon Brando, Robert

Duval, and Al Pacino! The story of Michael Corleone as a Mafia

boss is one of the best series ever created! If you haven't seen

it, you most definitely should.

A great trilogy

[rbverhoef · 10/10 · 25 January 2004]

I once thought this was the greatest trilogy ever made. To be honest I am not sure if I still think that. If you could choose two parts from every trilogy or series ever made I think it would be true. 'The Godfather' and 'The Godfather: Part II' belong to the greatest classics, but 'The Godfather: Part III' is just a nice movie and compared to the other it is not that good.

I think the original 'Star Wars' trilogy does a better job, because 'Star Wars' and 'The Empire Strikes Back' are also great movies, and personally I think 'Return of the Jedi' comes very close to greatness. It is at least as entertaining as the other two. The same I can say for the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy. Although I am not a fan like some others I have to admit that all three movies are very good. 'The Fellowship of the Ring' and 'The Return of the King' are the great movies here, and although I didn't like 'The Two Towers' very much I have to say it is very entertaining and comes a lot closer to the other two than 'The Godfather: Part III' does to the first 'Godfather' parts.

Still, this is at least one of the greatest trilogies ever made and as a complete work it is extraordinary. Of the trilogies I mentioned above this one has the best film making, with director Francis Ford Coppola and cinematographer Gordon Willis, and the best acting ensemble. Great actors like Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, James Caan, Robert Duvall and Diane Keaton give terrific performances. Maybe the third part has some flaws, including Sofia Coppola and her performance, it stays interesting the entire time. If you love the movies you can not miss this influential trilogy.

Re-edits Diminsh The Work Significantly

[jhph12 · 6/10 · 23 April 2005]

Start with two classics and a pretty weak third, and then re-edit the two classics to include scenes that should have been left on the editing room floor (or added in an extra discs for only historians to see) and what do you get? A good opportunity to stroke one's own ego (the director), a chance to sell the movies again and ring the cash register, and a diminished and much weaker body of work. I really think Coppola's re-edits in these films (and in the Apocalypse Now Redux release) show how movie making is a collaborative art. The re-editing maybe heightens his vision of the films but diminishes quality of the movies at the expense of the input of others, who at time of original filming tempered his excesses. The scenes added to the segments from the original Godfather films are a bit hokey-too much-don't work (ditto for the scenes added to Apocalypse Now Redux). Had they been released in the originals, the films would have been good films, but not become the classic pieces of art that they are.

hmm... not so sure guys

[ashleyflynn · 1/10 · 7 December 2003]

I love the trilogy, but to see it cut up and re-spliced in this way left me feeling a bit uneasy. If you want to see the Godfather, buy 1,2 and 3, sit down and watch them as they were meant to be shown. Believe me you'll be hard pressed to find a greater way to spend your time.

If Only They Deleted Part III & Included the 55 minutes of Outakes!

[jbirtel · 9 October 2002]

The final image in PART 2 said it all! After that, it was just 'more of the same'.

And it's still missing about 20 more minutes (deleted from the theatrical versions) of great footage from the broadcast of "A Novel for Television" (or the retitled "Godfather Saga") that combined 1 & 2. Most notable is James Caan's 'Sonny' that was more prominent following the Don's assassination attempt. Plus...why take out scenes that were in the theatrical release. No matter what version is shown, it's either censored (for TV) with added scenes that further fleshes out the story and characters, or the theatrical release seems edited.

Coppola has said that he doesn't mind taking out scenes (according to his whim) because he can always put them back. What a way to keep the cash cow forever flowing. And...at the expense of depriving movie lovers the definitive version of 'The Godfather Saga'.

Just look at how many versions of 'The Godfather' there is...

1)'Godfather', 'Godfather PART II', 'Godfather Part III' (546 minutes)

2)'The Godfather: A Novel for Television' (1977) (434 min. not including the 171 min. of Part III) [434 + 171 = 605 min.]

3)'The Godfather Epic: 1902-1959' (3 tapes on VHS) (402 min. not including Part III) [402 + 171 = 573 min.]

4)'The Godfather Trilogy' (laser disc) (583 min)

Every version has some scenes that the others don't have. I think I'll wait till all the footage that the viewing public has been exposed to is all included in the film from beginning to end because all that footage is great cinema. For once, it'd be nice to sit back and enjoy the entire story without your concentration being interrupted by missing scenes (you know exists) that causes gaps in the narrative.

The Best

[Howdy_partner · 10/10 · 17 January 2022]

I've seen considerable amount of movies, yet the best has never changed. It's not "a" movie, yet the trilogy as a whole, is a complete story. What can I say? Directing, storytelling, cinematography, musics..almost everything is perfect.

Just Corleone things..

[sudhakaranakhilan · 8/10 · 24 November 2017]

THE GODFATHER TRILOGY FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA

We witnessed many type of trilogies in the film field from the early days of its invention. We went through many trilogies before and after the Godfather Trilogy, but this one always sustain at the top most position in the history of world cinema. With the powerful usage of language and the content that it carries put this one into an unaccountable strength of importance and signification in the mind of every film lovers. Path of the journey of this trilogy is completely associated with the path of time and place where this trilogy is confronting about. A family's interference in the section of business and social things seems to be portrayed more perfectly than any other gangster movies, and that is the remarkable note while we pointing anything about this trilogy. It's not a hero oriented, supernatural something, it is only a common way of dealing the problems and a realistic way of the depiction of anger, jealous, happiness etc. encircled within a family. Godfather, actually a wonderful novel of Mario Puzo and the copyright was taken by Francis Ford Coppola because of the writing and thematic skill that followed by Puzo looked so amazing and interesting. He along with Puzo written the screenplay and Coppola directed it in his intensive way of making. And the characters were handled by three maverick stars (the term star is useless acc. To film industry) and that was the key point of the movie. Here the character personification looks very different, were every character came along in the way of the film had some purpose and they were accurately connected to the theme of the movie at some part. Coppola deliberately used the character on his own way and he is sure about the differences among those characters. The man who seeks Godfather's help in the first part can be seen in the second part also, but he has an intention. The association of family is the other thing when we point the enlargement of the characterization. The members of the 'Corleone Family', their purposes everything had a depicted notification. Their lies the exceptional handling of the screenplay from this both legends. When we broke out from the characters, especially the protagonists, their stardom value it just can be consider as a mere outlook to the society. Here the society is connected with the atmosphere with the business platform were all characters were businessmen or seems to look rich. On each part the problems handling by the Godfathers had a unique way of approach and they looks bold in their words and conclusions. They symbolize many things according to the way they went through to the younger generations. Apart from a gangster movie, it is just a simple family movie and we judge it as in that way. As we early said, it speaks the life of Corleone family. The problems associated with the family, how they solve that problems etc. The Godfather Trilogy, an outstanding piece of work from Coppola can be written in Golden words on the page of the history of world cinema. It was something a great fraction of writing when it comes to the screenplay. Not only the writing, but also the direction, music, cinematography and all the elements favored for the beauty of this film.

The best version of the films

[jesseryman-55565 · 10/10 · 2 November 2021]

I was hesitant when I first started watching it, but the way it chronologically tells the story is brilliantly cut and put together. Francis Ford Coppola out did him self on these three films(4 if you count young Don Vito as it's own) .Well crafted. The deleted scenes added back in clear up a lot that may have been confusing with the originals.

truly brilliant !!!

[chef al · 3 December 1998]

I saw the first part of the trilogy when it was first released , everybody was talking about it Marlon Brando is superb, in the title roll

Fruit Vendor Scene - Godfather 1

[showpan101 · 3 October 2006]

In Godfather I, when Marlon Brando (Don Corolone) and Fredo (John Cacale) are walking near the fruit stand Brando says Fredo "I am going to get some fruit". The fruit-stand vendor listens as Brando tells him what fruit he wants and the vendor places it all in one single bag. I am a product of the late 40s and would go shopping with my mom. We lived in an Italian section of New York City; East Harlem to be exact. --This is how it was done back then. When you went to a fruit stand each type fruit was place in an individual bag and then all the bags were placed in a large shopping bag. This was not done in this scene. Big Goof!!!!!!